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England showed why they were the team to beat, following up their World Cup win in the 50-over format earlier in the year with a thumping ten-wicket win over India in Taunton. England gave a fitting reply to India's lacklustre batting display with their openers Sarah Taylor and Charlotte Edwards scoring half-centuries to make a mockery of a target of 113. Both scored at a fair clip, smashing 13 fours and two sixes between them to breeze home with more than four overs to spare.
"This is our biggest game and hopefully this will clinch our semi-final spot," said Edwards. "Everyone wanted to see how we'd react to the tag of favourites. Whenever there's a bit of pressure on this team the players come out fighting. I was really, really pleased with Holly - she bowled so well. To come out and play as we have done today in front of such an enthusiastic crowd has been fantastic."
India's decision to bat backfired, as only three of their batsmen managed to reach double figures amid some miserly England bowling. Mithali Raj top scored with 29, but the only encouraging phase for India was her 22-run stand with opener Anjum Chopra for the second wicket. The stars for England with the ball were left-arm spinner Holly Colvin (3-20) and Nicky Shaw (2-28), who ensured their team remained in control, keeping India in check with wickets at frequent intervals. A 35-run sixth-wicket stand between Raj and wicketkeeper Sulakshana Naik lent some respectability to the Indian innings, but by then the advantage had been ceded.
West Indies recorded the first upset of the ICC Women's World Twenty20, beating South Africa by four runs in a tense opening match of the tournament at Taunton. Stafanie Taylor, 18-years-old today and playing in her third Twenty20 for West Indies, starred with a 52-ball 50 at the top of the order in her side's competitive 123 for 7. Taylor and Pamela Lavine (24 from 22) put on 44 for the first wicket, but South Africa fought back through Dane van Niekerk and Shabnin Ismail who each took two wickets. South Africa, however, began their chase of 124 poorly, losing both their openers with just 12 runs on the board, before slipping to 82 for 6. Mignon du Preez gave them hope with 38 from 28 balls, while Sunette Loubser cracked 19 from 16, but both players were run out as West Indies' fielders held their nerve. There was a third mix-up when Stacy-Ann King threw down the stumps to dismiss Ismail in a tight 20th over to leave South Africa four runs short, prompting West Indies' celebrations.
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